News – Page 613 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

The latest on Riverfront Stadium? Developers won’t build by it without new TIF district

info2023-10-18T11:35:27-05:00October 18th, 2023|

When Wichita announced plans to demolish Lawrence-Dumont Stadium and build a new Triple-A ballpark, city leaders promoted the $80-million-plus public investment as a catalyst for private development surrounding the stadium. The city sold land to developers for $1 an acre, moved McLean Boulevard, agreed to a subsidy package and tapped the state’s COVID-19 emergency funds to help boost private development on the west bank of the Arkansas River. Now, to spur private development, the city is poised to give to developers a key revenue stream that originally was supposed to help pay down stadium debt. If the City Council doesn’t approve [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for October 17, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-10-18T09:55:58-05:00October 18th, 2023|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. Every issuer's credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

Governor Kelly Announces Rural Champions Receive $300K for Community Projects

info2023-10-18T09:44:47-05:00October 18th, 2023|

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that $300,000 has been awarded to the 12 Rural by Choice Champions (Rural Champions) announced last year in collaboration with the Office of Rural Prosperity and the Patterson Family Foundation to address local challenges in their respective communities. The funding will allow these communities to move into the implementation phase of their projects. “Throughout my time in office, my administration has worked relentlessly to advance economic development, build affordable housing, and expand child care availability to ensure prosperity reaches every corner of the state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This funding allows Rural Champions to drive success [...]

Rural Harvey County sees uptick in Airbnbs

info2023-10-18T09:42:25-05:00October 18th, 2023|

A recent Newton City Council meeting inspired the city to assess its regulations on Airbnbs. While the city is still deciding its rules, the county has also been dealing with its regulations around them. Karen Rothe is the Harvey County Planning, Zoning and Environmental director. She is in charge of ensuring all Airbnbs that are in rural Harvey County have the proper permits. Rothe said she saw a large increase in the number of Airbnbs in Harvey County, and most of them didn’t have permits. Rothe said she checks the Airbnb site yearly. She checked it this year after being notified [...]

Halstead esports league a new experiment for the high school

info2023-10-18T09:40:54-05:00October 18th, 2023|

The Halstead esports league has taken off after receiving licensing approval to join the esports league. The Halstead High School Principal, Chad Baalman, received significant interest from students for joining an esports league. He and some interested students presented to the board. They requested the purchase of a curriculum and several computers. The curriculum costs $5,000. The board approved funding for licensing but didn’t approve the purchase of the curriculum or additional computers. This is a test year to gauge interests. Students play from home on their personal devices. They coordinate practice times together online and are supervised by their coach. [...]

The Grain Belt Express will bring clean energy from western Kansas to Missouri

info2023-10-18T09:34:59-05:00October 18th, 2023|

A transmission line carrying clean energy into Missouri is one step closer to being realized. On Thursday, Missouri's Public Service Commission approved the final plans for Invenergy to build its Grain Belt Express transmission line. The line will bring 5,000 megawatts of energy, or roughly four nuclear power plants' worth, from western Kansas through Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, before sending it to other markets in the Midwest and beyond. It's expected to save residents of Missouri, Kansas and Illinois $11 billion in its first 15 years. Source: KCUR

Wichita, Sedgwick County to expand integrated care teams

info2023-10-18T09:33:12-05:00October 18th, 2023|

The city of Wichita and Sedgwick County are expanding their integrated care team. The group works with law enforcement in responding to mental health crises. The goal of growing the program is to reduce the number of arrests and de-escalate situations. The addition of three new integrated care teams is a result of the success seen with the first team, ICT-1. The expansion lets the city and county assess where they should place funding for mental healthcare in the future. ICT-1 was formed as a way to bring people support in mental health crisis situations without taking them to jail or [...]

Museum preserving piece of JoCo’s past to be upgraded with federal grant

info2023-10-18T09:30:54-05:00October 18th, 2023|

A national grant will help fund an organization dedicated to the history of Monticello Township. The self-funded, all volunteer Monticello Community Historical Society received a $3,000 grant from the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area. The society runs mostly on fundraisers and donations. The society’s museum in an old fire station on 83rd Street — straddling the city lines between Lenexa and Shawnee — highlights artifacts and stories about the former Johnson County township, which was annexed by Lenexa and Shawnee in 1988. Source: Prairie Village Post

Shawnee Mission’s Michelle Hubbard named Kansas Superintendent of the Year

info2023-10-18T09:27:54-05:00October 18th, 2023|

Michelle Hubbard of the Shawnee Mission School District has been named Kansas Superintendent of the year by the Kansas Superintendents’ Association — an honor that also puts her in the running for national superintendent of the year. Hubbard, who has been Shawnee Mission’s superintendent since 2021, was cited by the Kansas association for her leadership and commitment to student success. In particular, the Kansas superintendents’ group mentioned Hubbard’s prioritization of the district’s Market Value Assets program encouraging seniors to develop industry-valued skills that make for a smooth transition from school to the workplace or to higher education. Source: Prairie Village Post

City of Wichita to pave more than 150 dirt roads over next 10 years for $35 million

info2023-10-18T09:22:13-05:00October 18th, 2023|

The City of Wichita plans to spend millions of dollars to pave more than 150 streets in the city. Its first priority is the streets around Wichita schools. One dirt road is about to get a facelift is Lilac Lane between Pike and Morris. Construction on the dirt road is expected to start on October 30th. The 10-year project will cost taxpayers $35 million. And, it's making those who live along Lilac Lane very happy. "It's going to be a lot better for the simple fact that my dog for instance him, he likes to go on roads and he doesn't [...]